Everton confirmed the return of one of their best players last season by sealing the permanent signing of Steven Pienaar from Tottenham Hotspur for £4.5 million ($7 million).

The South African international signed a four-year contract, which will keep him at the club till 2016, and David Moyes will be delighted to seal the midfielder's signature, particularly after the departure of Tim Cahill to the New York Red Bulls, left a gap in the squad for an experienced midfielder.

Pienaar, who joined Spurs in January 2011 from Everton, failed to establish a place at White Hart Lane, moving to Goodison Park on loan in January. That proved to be an inspired signing by Moyes, as the 30-year-old helped Everton make a late push, eventually finishing seventh in the English Premier League.

Both parties admitted their desire to make the move permanent and it came as no surprise, once it was officially announced. "I am happy to be here," Pienaar told the club's official website. "It took a few weeks to sort out but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton.

"There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here. At the end of the season I told the manager how I felt and I am happy now it is all done."

Pienaar originally lined up with Everton in 2007, on an initial loan deal from Borussia Dortmund, which was made permanent a year later. After his loan spell ended last year, Pienaar said he wanted to stay with the club in May, with Moyes also revealing his intentions of keeping the player at Merseyside.

"We are keen and I hope in time we would be able to conclude that deal," Moyes had said at the start of this month.

"I don't know if the situation has changed (with Andre Villas-Boas coming in as new Spurs manager) but Steven has made it very clear he wants to come back here and my understanding is that hasn't changed.

"My next job in the coming weeks is to get Steven Pienaar here as well."